Method for searching data in at least two databases

Abstract

A method and database system is disclosed for searching data in at least two databases (Dn), particularly for searching telephone directories or the like. To allow simultaneous access to two or more databases by means of speech recognition in order to perform a search therein as in a single database, a search term is input by speech via a voice controlled user interface (28) connected to a database primary control apparatus (26) and comprises speech recognition front end means (8, 9) for processing a sound sequence of a search term input by speech to obtain a comparable speech pattern (X) thereof. By means of speech recognition back end means (6) associated with databases (D1-D6), the comparable speech pattern (X) is compared with corresponding speech patterns (An,i) of database entries (En,i) to determine for each of the at least two databases (Dn) at least that database entry (En,j) the speech pattern (An,j) which best matches the comparable speech pattern (X) of the search term.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is for entry into the U.S. national phase under §371 for International Application No. PCT / IB02 / 02345 having an international filing date of Jun. 24, 2002, and from which priority is claimed under all applicable sections of Title 35 of the United States Code including, but not limited to, Sections 120, 363 and 365(c), and which in turn claims priority under 35 USC §119 to European Patent Application No. 01115811.0 filed on Jun. 28, 2001.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention relates to a method for searching for data in at least two databases, in particular for searching for telephone directory, address book or appointments diary entries or the like in at least two telephone directory, address book or appointments diary databases or the like, and also to a database system having at least two databases which is particularly suitable for carrying out the inventive method for searching for data.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a method and system for accessing multiple databases through speech recognition. The method involves comparing speech patterns from a search term to database entries and selecting the entry with the closest matching speech pattern as the identifier. This allows for simultaneous access to multiple databases, without the need for separate updates. The system includes a speech recognition engine that processes speech patterns and compares them to database entries. The method can be used with any kind of comparable speech pattern, and the measure used to determine the best matching entry can be a measure of matching distance or a measure of similarity. The technical effects of the invention include improved efficiency and convenience for users and improved data management."

Problems solved by technology

As electronic devices such as mobile telephones, that is to say car telephones and ‘mobiles’, cordless telephones, which communicate via a base station connected to the landline network, electronic notebooks and PCs, which contain databases, such as personal telephone directories, appointments diaries, personal address books, task lists and the like, become more and more widespread, there is the increasing problem that a user needs to manage various electronic telephone directories and / or electronic appointments diaries.

Parallel access to the various memory areas or the various electronic telephone directories is currently not possible, which means that a user must either constantly coordinate all his available telephone directories with one another if he wants to have all telephone numbers constantly available, or he needs to search through the individual electronic telephone directories one after the other.

The problem described in this case in connection with electronic telephone directories with mobile and cordless telephones also concerns, by way of example, address books, appointments diaries and other databases which are provided in PCs, electronic appointments diaries and planners and the like, however.

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